Archiving Digital Pictures par date taken!

The way i have archived mine since my trusty D100, is to put them in folders of 500 images

in order of their photo number, as that is normally in date order, to do this i created an automated VB script, that reads the name of the file, works out where the file should be, and moves the file to the folder. If the folder doesn't exist, then it creates one.so all i have is folders like so.

1-500

501-1000

1001-1500

ect, ect,I then import the folders into lightroom.

the script is clever enough to work out where its run from, so you don't have to enter any file paths.The only thing you have to do is a follows

1) it asks you the folder size, this defaults to 500.

2) it asks you if you want to use alphanumeric (Normally select NO), If you use this it will calculate a number dependent of the file name and then put it in a folder from the number generated (usefull if you have renamed your photos to a non numerical file name)

3) asks you have you renamed your files. Only if you have shot over 10000, and you need to rename them from DSC_0001.nef to DSC_10001.nef and i do have a batch file for that as well.i.e. your camera will go from 0001 to 9999, and then create a new folder and start over at 0001obviously the second 0001 should be 10001, so its asking you IF YOU HAVE TO RENAME YOUR FILES, HAVE YOU RENAMED YOUR FILES4) any duplicate files appear in folders which are numbered in the millions

5) you can add variables to the script to check for all sorts of files to sort.This script does not delete any files, it only moves them

just copy and paste the text below into a text file, and rename it to something like move.vbsDrop it into your image folder and double click and let it run.I take no responsibility for any images lost, use at your own risk. (standard disclaimer)I have documented it through out, so it should be easy to follow and or modify for your own use.Try it first on a test folder with some copies of your photos, but you shouldnt have any problems.If you do, it will show you an error message, which should point you in the correct direction.

'if file is just text then use alpha number if file_number = "" then file_number= file_alphanumeric end if 'if aplha is to be used then use it. if alphanumeric =6 then file_number= file_alphanumeric end if